Player-piano



0. M. KENNEDY.

PLAYER PIANO.

, APPLICATION FILED OCT-'8, 1917.

Patented May 31, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET I WITNESS ATTORNEYS 0. M. KENNEDY.

PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED ocns. 1912.

1,379,926. v Patented May 31,192

, a 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESS BY A TTORNEYS 0. M-. KE'NNEDY.

PLAYER PIANO. APPLICATION FILED OCT. s, 19H.

Patented May 31 1921.

3 sHEETs-sHEET a.

I l l 1 l l I l\ ATTORNEYS mrulas UNlTED STAW Q o'rrs M. KENNEDY, or PHILADELPHIA, rnNNsYLvANIA, AssIcNoR'ro THE cUN iNG- HAM PIANO coMrA Y, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

PLAYER-PIANO.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented pl 31 1921 Application filed October 8, 1917. Serial No, 195,296.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orrs M. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Player-Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to player pianos and specifically to a novel construction and arrangement of expression controlling devices, whereby pneumatic player pianos may be operated by an inexperienced performer to obtain with great accuracy the correct expression of the music in accordance with the usual expression indications on the music roll,and hence to reproduce the musical composition with'substantially the correct expression intended to be given to the piece by the original composer. Furthermore, the expression controlling mechanism hereinafter described has the additional advantage that it does not require any special character of music roll but is adapted to be used with all standard music rolls which have thereon any of the usual expression lines or symbols, and this mechanism and its adjuncts may be applied to any player piano without interfering with the control of the expression devices by means of the usual manually operated control buttons, if it be so desired.

An important novel feature of my invention is a pressure regulating device adapted to control the pneumatic pressure effective to operate the usual pneumatics of a player piano regardless and independent of the amount of pressure or degree of vacuum created by an operator of the piano in pumping the treadles, as usual for obtaining the necessary vacuum for operating player pianos. Another important novel feature is I the means hereinafter described whereby the expression controlling mechanism may be thrown into or out of operation at the will of the operator and which in operation controls the action of the pneumatics no matter how great a suction is applied by the op erator tending to result in too strong an action of the pneumatics and thereby interfering with the correct expression which should be given the piece being played, especially as respects the soft and very soft tones which are often necessary to get the desired and technically accurate expression. Further- 1nore,tlie pressure regulating mechanism may and partly in section.

beusedeitherindependently of, or in conj unction with, certain known mechanical devices which tend to control the expression, suchas means for adjusting the position of l the treble and bass hammer rails and the loud pedal or string damper controlling devices.

I have, therefore, provided'in a player piano, manually controllable mechanism for actuating both a pressure regulating expression device and a mechanism for controlling the expression, each of which may be used either simultaneously or selectively as may be desired, to thereby enable any persons, especially inexperienced ones operating a player piano, to more correctly reproduce to a very fine degree of accuracy, the'proper expression intended to be given to the music by the composer as indicated by the line or symbols on the music roll.

Finally my invention comprises an improved construction and arrangement of the various operating parts in a pneumatically operated expression controlling device for player pianos, as will appear fromthe description ofthe mechanism hereinafternlore particularly set forth and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part ofthis application there is illustrated one form of mechanism for carrying out my invention, but it is to beunderstood that the particular form illustrated is not necessarily essential to the invention, except as hereinafter specifically stated, and many alterations and modifications may be readily made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings annexed hereto, Figure l is a front elevational view showing certain parts in section, while Fig. 2 is a perspec tive view showing a manually operated controlling lever with the connections to the indicator diagram and controlling valve.

*ig. 3 is an enlarged View of one/form of controlling valve together with the pressure regulating mechanism, partly in elevation Fig. 4; is a bottom plan View of the valve casing shown in Fig. 3, while Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the valve. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the pneumatic portion of the pressure regulating mechanism shown in Fig. 3, while Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the same. Figs. Sand 9 show a modification of the form of valve illustrated in Figs. 4c and 5, while Figs. 10 and 11 represent a front elevation and side elevation respectively of V a still further modified form of controlling valve.

7 Referring to Fig; liof the drawings, at 1 is shown the upper casing of the piano and at 2 the usual keyboard, while the hammers and usual movable hammer rails 3 are illustrated diagrammatically in their relative positions to coact with the piano wires 4 shown in the upper part of Fig. 1 of the drawings in the manner well-known in the art. Any suitable form of operating mechanism, such as the treadles 5 may be used to actuate the feeders 6 and create the nccessary pneumatic pressure used in operating the usual pneumatic devices of the piano, as by exhausting the air from the primary valve chamber 7, which may be of any usual construction known in the art. A suitable communicating conduit 8 may be used to connect the upper and lower action mechanisms and extends between the chambers 7 and the exhaust feeders 6 as is shown in Fig. 1. A suitable form of pneumatic motor 9 is also conveniently shown for operating the music roll 10 through suitable gearing, and the motor 9 may be operated from the feeders 6, as is also well-known in the art, while any form of automatic tracker device 11 may be used to properly positionthe roll over the tracker board 12, and, moreover, in the form of music roll illustrated herewith is shown an expression line 13 common on most standard music rolls, or its equivalent descriptive words, letters or other symbols 13, equally common (see Fig. 2) to facilitate the operators control of the expression devices hereinafter set forth. In Fig. 1 is also shown a common form of tempo scale 1-1 and pointer 15 therefor, together with the usual operating levers 15 whereby the pointer may be properly adjusted in accordance with a recognized form of tempo indicating means 14 on the music roll, the elements so far described being well-known to those skilled in the art.

As indicated above, this invention includes certain novel combination and arrangements in expression controlling mechanisms and as a part of this construction there is shown in Fig. 1 of thehdrawings a plurality of pneumatic devices T, B and L adapted to control the position of the hammer rails for the treble and bass notes on the piano and the loud pedal or damper releasing mechanism, respectively. These devices may be suitably operated from thefeeders 6 in amanner that is wellunderstood in the art, and by reason of the link connections to the hammer rails and dampers the pneumatic devices illustrated diagrammatically at B and L, and at T in section, see Fig. 1 constitute means for mechanically controlling the expression by properly positioning the hammer rails or string dampers.

Moreover, pneumatic bellows for me chanically controlling the expression may be suitably placed under the manual control of the operator through anrexpression controlling valve mechanism 16 operated by a movable finger shown in the drawings at 20. This finger member 20 may bepivoted at any suitable point on the piano, as adjacent the drawings is merely shown by way of example and comprises an adjustable connecting rod 24: connected to the finger piece 20 at one end and at the other end to a bracket 25 secured to the sliding valve member 26. This valve 26 is located in a suitable valve casing 27 and any form of retaining means may be used to slidably secure the valve 26 in position. From the valve casing a series of tubes T, B and L extend to the treble, bass and loud pneumatic devices T, B and L, respectively. 7 The valve 26 is intended to control the admission of air to each of these tubes and thereby control the operation of their respective pneumatics. For this purpose the valve 26 may be provided with an opening 28 adapted to place the tube T in communication with the atmosphere through the passage 29 in the valve casing 27, and since itmay be desired to provide a mechanism whereby the bass and treble pneumatics may be operated successively or simultaneously in Seriatim as desired, the tube B is connected to passages 30 and 31 through the valve casing as shown. The valve 26 is provided with an opening 32 adapted to open passages 30 and 31 and thus place the tube l3 in communication with the atmosphere, while a certain opening 33 in the sliding valve memher when appropriately moved establishes communication by way of a longitudinal endwise connection 34-. with the atmosphere and places the tube L in communication therewith. Suitable channels 35 and 36 are also provided in the face of the valve 26 so that both the tubes B and T be placed in communication with the atmosphere at once.

Coacting with the means described for controlling the expression of the music produced by the player piano to a relatively nice degree of perfection, 1 preferably pro vide a mechanism for controlling the pneumatic pressure used for operating the usual neumatics of the piano, thus providing a second operated means to control expression by regulating the pressure under which the entire action of the piano takes place, which mechanism, if desired, could, of course, be used independently of the chanical expression device above described, and the operation of both forms of expression-varying means may be readily placed under the manual control of the operator. This additional pressure regulating means for controlling the expression, v: lih has been provided. is indicated generally at in Fig. 1 of the drawings and comprises a pneumatically operated pressure regulating valve adapted to be placed in operative connection with the main exhaust tube 8 extending between the primary valve chamber 7, which actuates the pneumatics in the piano, and the lower pneumatic action mechanism included in the feeders 6 operated from the treadles 5 described above. Means are provided whereby this pressure regulating valve may e thrown into or out of operation at will by the operator in accordance with the correct expression intended to be given to the music as may be indicated on the music roll and, moreover, the sliding valve 26 above describcr for controlling the operation of one form of expression device, forms a convenient means for also controlling the action of the valve mechanism 40, although separate operating means could readily be devised, and for this purpose a tube C is connected at one end to the valve casing 27 as indicated in the drawings and at the other end to the casing of the control valve mechanism 10. The valve 26 is provided with an opening 41 to co jperate with a passage d2 adapted to place the tube C in communication with the atmosphere, as will hereinafter appear, so as to be effective to throw the control valve mechanism 40 into or out of operative connection with the main conduit 8 which controls the pneumatic'condition of the primary valve chamber 7.

In the pressure regulating mechanism 40, as shown, the outer casing is provided with a plurality of internal chambers 52 and 53. The chamber 52 is adapted to be connected directly to one portion 54 of the main conduit 8 while the other chamber 53 is in communication with the end of the other section of the tube 8, and in normal operation the air is exhausted through the end 54 of the tube 8, upper chamber 52, lower chamber 53 and end 55 of the adjacent section and thence to the feeders 6, this constituting the main pressure conduit for the piano. A valve is interposed between the chambers 52 and 53 and its position is controlled by the tube C from the manually operated valve 26 above described. Means for controlling the position of the valve 60, as shown in the drawings as one form of a suitable construction, is by way or the pneumatically operated primary valve 62 provided with a seating member 62 adjacent to which is a flexible diaphragm or pouch 61 separating the chamber 53 from a lower chamber 68 with which the tube C communicates. A relatively small opening 6% connects the chamber 53 to the tube '0 through the small chamber 63 for the purpose that will hereinafter appear. This primary valve 62 forms one means for controlling the admission of air to a tube 65 to control the valve 60. The tube 65 leads to a chamber 66 covered by a thin flexible pouch or diaphragm 67 similar to pouch 61, adjacent to which is located a member 68 connected by astem 69 to move in unison with the valve 60 so that if air is admitted beneath the pouch 67 the vacuum in the chamber 53 will immediately cause the pouch 67 to engage the member 68 and raise the valve stem 69 and the valve 60to its seat against the upper portion of the chamber 53. The upper chamber 52 is connected by means of a pipe 72 to an opening 73 in the chamber of a pneumatic 74 and an opening 75 therein is connected by way of a second tube or pipe 77 to the chamber 53 described above so that when the valve 60 is closed against its seat, the air must pass from the chamber 52 of the tube 8,through opening 73 to the chamber 7 4c and thence from the chamber Yet through an opening 75 and pipe'77 to the chamber and thence to the end 55 of the main tube 8, this circuitous conduit forming a shunted passage for the air from the main tube 8. In this shunted passage may be located the pressure regulating valve 86 so that as the passage of air is passed through the chambers 52 and 53 or shunted through the lower chamber 74: this regulating valve may be thrown into and out of operation. This valve 80 is adapted to be automatically operated to control the pas-- sage of air through the pneumatic to the pipe 77 when the control mechanism ",is thrown into operation by the closure of the valve 60, as indicated above. Various forms of valve controlling devices might be readily used as means to regulate this opening. In the form shown in the drawings, which is merely illustrative of one means for carrying out this feature of the invention, a pivoted valve 80 is located on a movable wall of the pneumatic chamber 74 so as to move from effecting a closing of the valve opening 7 5 when the pneumatic is in non-closing or open position. The pneumatic 74 is adapted to be collapsed by the pneumatic suction on the tube 7 7 through the tube 8 and suitable means for opposing this action and tending to open the valve is by way of a spring 90 suitably interposed between 21 fixed part of the pneumatic 74 or other suitable fixed part of the piano casing, the other end oi the spring 90 being attached to a link 92 fixed to the movable wall 01' the pneumatic 7 1. It will thus be seen that as the suction holds the pneumatic closed, it does so against the action of the spring 90 and the spring 90 immediately tends to open the valve 80 by tending to hold the pneumatic 7 1 in open position. Any suitable means for adjusting the tension of the spring 90 may be provided to regulate this automatic action of the pres sure regulating valve 80, and, as shown, consists in a pin 91 extending through the coils of the spring and as the spring is turned the coils will cause the spring to move relative to the pin 91. The other end of the spring 90 may be swiveled to the connecting link 92 in order to facilitate this adjustment.

1n orcer to provide a pressure regulating mechanism which will be very sensitive in operation and respond quickly in 1e desired control of the pneumatic pressure as above indicated, 1 have provided within the collapsible chamber 7 1 an. auxiliary pneumatic device 100 connected by a passage 101 to the valve opening 7 5 in the suction tube 77. It will thus be seen that the valve 80 controls the passage of air from. both the main collapsible pneumatic 7 1 and the auxiliary compensating pneumatic 100 so that the valve 80 more evenly controls the pressure throughout the entire chamber 7 1 rather than simply around the valve 80 which would otherwise tend to be the case and hence the entire operation of the pneumatic 74 is very sensitively responsive to the action of the suction on the tube 77 and against the spring 90 which tends to open the pneumatic chamber 7 1 as above indicated. v

As stated above, the pneumatic device for adjusting the position of the hammer rail for the treble notes is shown in Section in Fig.1 to illustrate a conventional Form or pneumatic device for operating the hammer rails as well as the loud pedal. Although well known in the art, of these pneumatics will be described to show clearly their connection with the rest of the automatic expression mechanism. Thus the bellows 105 is connected by a link mechanism 106 extending upwardly at the rear insice corncr of the casing of the piano to the treble hammer rail 3. The upright member 106 is suitably connected to the hammer rail 3' so as to adjust the position of the rail and limit the rebound position. ot the hammers when the link member 105 moves downwardly. The pneumatic 105 is connected by a passage 107 to a chamber 108 in which is located an opening 109 to the atmosphere adapted to be controlled by a double valve 110. Valve 110 has a head 111 located within the vacuum chamber 112, this chamber being conne ted by a pipe 113 to the main suction mechanism for the piano. The air inlet tube T connects with a passage 11 1 in the casing of the pneumatic and extends into a separate chamber above the alve head 111. Between this chamber and the head is located diaphragm adapted, when operated, to engage the head 111 and operate valve 110. Normally the air passes from the atmosphere through the opening 109, passage 10? to the bellows 105, keeping the same in dated and in open position. rl owever, when, air is admitted through the tube T either from the hand operatedbuttons or the controlling valvular mechanism above described, the same enters the passage 114 and iorces the diaphragm into engagement with the head 11.1 on he valve 110 closing the opening 109 and at the same time opening up the passage 10? to the vacuum chamber 112. it will thus be seen that the action of the main suction device for the piano will then immediately cause an exhaustion of the air in the bellows 105, causing it to collapse and consequently effecting an operation of the link mechanism 106 to move the hammer positioning rails 3, thereby shortening the throw of the hammers in striking the piano wires. This construction described is merely one form 01 mechanism for operating pneumatically the position of the treble and bass hammer rails as well as the loud pedal and other forms of pneumatics may readily be used. moreover, these pneumatics may be controlled manually by the usual control buttons, or from the valve 26 in the manner fully described above, and, as stated, the valve also forms means for controlling the action of the pressure regulating mechanism 10, although it is to be understood that this 7 pressure re ulating mechanism may also be controlled independently of? the valve for controlling the pneumatics T, B and L.

The operation of the entire mechanism hich has been provided asindicated above or controlling and obtaining very accurate xpression to music being rendered by a layer piano, will now be described.

The operator, while pumping the treadles 5 to exhaust the feeders 6 and effect an operation of the player piano in the usual manner, by use of the iinger piece 20, and link mechanism 17, 18, and 19, adjustably move the pointer member 21 to rest over the proper positions from time to time on the indicating diagram 22, as is denoted by the expression line 13 or other equivalent letters or symbols on the music roll. If this line or any form of expression indicia indicates that a loud expression should be given to the music, the finger piece 20 is moved to the right in Fig. 1, causing the member 21 to move in the same direction until the same is located over the indication F or FF. By reason of the link connection 24 operated by the finger piece 20, in unison with the indicator member 21, it will be seen that the valve 26 is also moved a corresponding distance, but in the opposite direction, or toward the left in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the opening 38 comes into communication with the passage 34 in the valve casing and places the same into communication with the atmosphere, permitting air to pass into the tube L to the loud pneumatic L, effecting an actuation of the same to release the piano wire dampers in a manner that will be well understood in view of the operation above described of the pneumatic T since the pneumatic L may be arranged to operate in the same manner. This operation of the mechanism automatically gives a loud and resounding expression to the music as will be readily understood.

VJhen the line on the music roll indicates that a soft expression should be given to the music, the operator moves the finger piece 20 to the left moving the indicator 21 over to the left of the diagram 22, and at the same time the valve 26 will be moved in the opposite direction or toward the right in Figs. 1 and 3. A movement of the valve 26 to the right will cut off the passage of air to the loud pneumatic through the tube L and first bring the opening 28 into alinement with the passage 29 which is connected to the treble pneumatic tube T. The admission of air to this pneumatic will cause the same to operate in the manner above described, moving the treble hammer rail near the strings to soften the action of the hammers in striking the treble notes. If now, the lever or finger piece 20 be moved still farther to the left, the valve 26 will be moved :arther to the right, causing the opening 28 to be cut off from communication with the tube T through the passage 29, and causing the opening 32 to register with the passage to the tube B admitting air 'to the bass pneumatic B. It will thus be seen that either the loud, treble or bass pneumatics may each be actuated independently of the others. By moving the finger piece 20 still farther toward the soft and very soft positions, the channel 35 will. eventually place the passage 29 again into communication with the atmosphere to permit air to enter the treble pneumatic tube T, and, by reason of the location of the channel or trough 36 which at the same time maintains the passage 30 to the bass pneumatic tube B in communication with the atmosphere, it will be seen that in this position of the valve both the bass and treble pneumatics are in simultaneous operation to effect arsoftening of both the treble and bass notes of the piano by a mechanical, in contradistinction to a pneumatic means.

If now, the finger piece be moved still farther toward a position to give a very soft expression, as may be called for by the expression line 13 on the music roll, the valve 26 will be moved still farther to the right as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and bring the opening- 41 into communication with the passage l2 to the tube 0 which controls the action of the pressure regulating device 40 to bring into action the pneumatic means which has been provided for controlling the expression. When air is thus admitted tothe tube 0, the same enters the chamber 68 in the casing 50 beneath the thin diaphragm 61, causing this diaphragm to en gage the head 62 on the valve stem of the valve 62 raising the same from its seat and admitting air to the tube 65 and chamber 66 below another thin flexible pouch 67 causing a similar actuationof the same to close the valve 60 against the seat. Since this valve 60 is interposed in the main suction tube 8, it will effect a shunt of the air passage from this tube and compel the action of the feeders 6 in exhausting the air from the chambers 7 to cause the air to pass by way of the pipe 72 from the upper chamber 52 to the chamber of the pneumatic 74, thence from the pneumatic through the opening 75 controlled by the valve 80 to the pipe 77 and chamber 53, thence to the main suction tube 8.

It will thus be seen that when the valve 60 is closed the pneumatic pressure, which is effective to operate the main pneumatic devices of the piano, will be under the control of and regulated by the valve 80 which automatically operates in the following manner: The suction from the feeders 6 through tube 8 and pipe 77 tends to normally collapse the pneumatic 74-. The valve 80, being attached to the upper movable wall of the pneumatic, is therefore actuated by the action of the pneumatic in collapsing to move to closing position over the end of the pipe 77, thus restricting and limiting the suction exerted on the pipe 8 and if thereis a strong action in the feeders 6 due to strenuous pumping, for example, tending to quite completely exhaust the air from the upper part of tube 8 and valve chamber 7 thereby causing a strong action of the pneumatic devices in operating the hammers of the piano, the control valve 80 moderates the action of the usual pneumatics and renders the same correspondingly less powerful to surh a degree as to obtain a delicate and soft expression corresponding to the human touch rather than a mechanical, resounding and loud expression, no matter how great a pressure is operated on the feeders 6.

.It will be no ed hat the val 80 s pre actually closing the valve 80 when vented from being actually closed or at least from being maintained in closed pos i tion by reason of the spring 90 which is interposed between the collapsible wall of the pneumatic 2 4i and the fixed wall thereof, or any fixed position in the piano, to immediately tend to open the pneumatic and hence the valve 80 whenever the same is drawn to closing position by the suction on the tube 8. The tension of the spring 90 may be readily adjusted as indieated above so as to give the same a relatively small amount of energy, so that its action is more readily overcome by the action of the suction from the'teeders 6 and in this manner further means are provided whereby the pneumatic action in the piano, by reason of this pressure regulating mechanism, may be brought down to such a line degree as to make the same extremely soft and'delicate regardless of the strength of the pumping action on the feeders (lby an operator using the pedals 5 or by any other source of power which might be used as, for example, an electric motor. By moving the valve 26 so to cut oil communi cation from tube C to the atmosphere, the valve 62 closes by reason of the lowering of diaphragm 61 due to the suction iii chamber 53 through the small opening- 6e and tube C on the chamber 63. The parts then assume the normal position with the valve open.

It will be noted that the valve 80 is piv= oted to the movable wall of the pneumatic 74 and a spring 81. normally tends to force the valve 80 toward closing position. This is for the purpose of insuring a tight closing oi? the valve 80 regardless of the position which the wall of the pneumatic may assume in clOSiDg relatively to its rear or fixed wall, since this flexibility between valve 80 and pneumatic 'Z ipermits of a turther downward movement of the bellows 74!; after the valve 80 is seated thus requiring a less degree of refinement in properly adjusting the position of the parts. In order to prevent the spring 83. from matic M is open and the valve 80 should likewise be open the valve 80 is provided with stop or projection adapted to on a stop 83 on the front wall of the pneumatic T l-t0 greventthe valve 80 trom'closing, "as will be apparent from an inspection of? Fig, 7.

As indicated above, in the description of c the apparatus, the auxiliary pneumatic devia-c7100 located within the flexible chamber '74-. and provided with a passage 101 opening into the chamber 74 adjacent the opening Toto the pipe 77, is :or the purpose of providing a more accurately operating pressure regulating device by reason of the fact that the valve 80 controls both the auxiliary the pneupneumatic 100 and the main pneumatic 74. It will thus be seen that the valve 80 on the one hand will more evenly control the pressure in "the entire pneumatic chamber 74- and and these two chambers, on the other hand, will be more quickly acted by the feeders (3 tending to control the position of valve 80, thus making a very sensitively operatdevice for regulating the pressure of the air used in operating the piano,

In the modified form of valve construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, I have arranged the various passageways so that the pressure regulating mechanism may be thrown into operation before the hammer rail controlling pneumatics are operated, and have also provided a construction whereby the pneumatic pressure regulating mechanism 40 may be used independently of, as well as simultaneously with, the treble and bass pneumatics for operating the position of the treble and bass hammer rails. An inspection of these figures will readily disclose that the'passage 41,c0rresponding to the passage 41 in Fig. 5, will come into alinement with the passage 42 to the tube C in Fig. 8 before either of the other passages 28 M32 open up the tubes T or B to the atmosphere and hence the pressure regulating mechanism l0 may be independently operated by shifting the position of the valve 26 with the passages ll and 42' in alinement. Moreover, it willbe apparent that it the valve is moved farther tothe extreme right, the channel 110 will continue'to admit air to the passage 4:2 and tube C, when both the tubes T and B are at the same time open'to the atmosphere, and in this manner both the hammer rail controlling pneumatics and the pressure regulating mechanism will be in simultaneous operation. In Figs. 8 and 9 it will also be noted that the passage 35 extends entirely up to, and communicates with the opening 28 in the sliding valve, and, moreover, the tubes T and B are changed around so that the tube l3 communicates with the passage 30 shown in Fig. 8 andthe tube T communicates with the passage 29. In this manner, when the operating lever is moved to obtain a softening effect, as juststated, the pressure regulating mechanism {l0 is first thrown into action by reason of the passage 41 and the channel 110 opening the passage 42' and upon a further movement of the lever toward the soft tone obtaining position the opening 28 and passage 35 open up the passage 29, which in this case is connected to thebass pneumatic tube B, thus softening the bass notes first before a further movement of the valve 26 toward the right causes the opening 32 to communicate with the passage 30' which actuates the treble pneumatic to soften'the treble notes- 7 In" view of the .channelsa ffi-f) and 110 it will be noted that the pressure regulating mechanism is continued in operation and the bass pneumatic controlling the hammer rail for the bass notes is also main:

tained in a position to soften the tone of pneumatic through the tube B. A further movement of the valve 26 to the left in Fig. 8 will then cut 011 communication between the passage 42 and either the channel 110 or the opening 41 in the valve 26, thus cutting off the action of the pressure regulating mechanism 40 bringing the valv into neutral position.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown a further modification as to the construction of the controlling valve 26, which in this case is shown as a rotary valve instead of the sliding valves shown in the other modifications. In this construction the operation of the mechanism is substantially the same as that described above in connection with Figs. 1 to 7. The pivoted finger piece 20 in Fig. 10 is connected at its lower end by alink or rod 24 to a rotary circular disk 115 which is provided with suitable openings to control the admission of air to the several tubes T L, B and C in substantially the same manner in which the control of the air to these tubes is effected in the other forms of valve. For this purpose the several tubes lead to a fixed circular plate 116 provided with any suitable means, as a flange 11?, by which the same may be secured to the piano casing. The disk 115 is'shown being provided with an opening 11'? adapted to register over the tube L when the valve is located in the loud expression obtaining position. The disk 115 is also provided with anoth r transverse passage or opening 119 and on the inner surface of the disk 115 extending in the are of a circle whose center is the center of the disk 115 is enacting groove 120 terminating in the transverse passage 119 at one end. The opening 119 may also. be in communica tion with a radially extending passage 121 to the peripheral edge of the disk 115 for a purpose of increasing the effective operation of the valve in opening the passageto the tube B, the two passages 1 9 and 121 also coacting toprevent an accumulation of dirt in either, due to the circulation of air around through both, when in operation,

The disk 115 is further provided with an opening 123 and a slot 124% connected thereto located on the inner face of the disk, adapted to coact with the passage to the tube C to place this. tube in communication with the atmosphere at the proper time in the operation of the valve. This opening 123 may also be provided with a more or less radially extending passage 125 similar to the passage 121. Any suitable means for rotatably securing the valve disk 115 in position on the supporting plate 116 may be provided, and one means comprises a bolt 126 extending through both plates and provided with awasher 12'? adjacent the front disk 115 with a spring 128 interposed between the washer 127 and a second washer 129 on the bolt, on which is also located the nut 130, which may be tightened up as desired to cause the spring to resiliently hold the disk 115 flat against the face of the rear plate 116 and at tie same time permitting the disk 115 to be readily rotated by the rod 241 connected to the finger piece 20.

The various openings in the disk 115 are so positioned that the actuation of the finger piece 20. will cause the various tubes L, B, T and C to come into communication with the atmosphere in order to give the correct expression to the music in substantially the same manner as that obtained by use of the sliding. valve illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7. For example, when the finger piece 20 is moved to the right, the opening 117 will register with the passage to the tube L and operate the loud pedal pneumatic and when in this passage it will be noted that each of the other tubes is cut oil from communication with the atmosphere. However, when the finger piece 20 is moved to the left to obtain a softer tone, the loud pneumatic tube L is cut oil", and the opening 119 first registers with the passage to the tube B causing an actuation oi the bass pneumatic device to adjust the position of the bass hammer rail in the manner described above. Further movement of, the finger pier-e 20 to the left, or in the direction of the arrow shown in 10, also moves the disk 1-15 in the di rection of the arrow shown on the same, so that the curved slot- 120 will soon place the tube T as well as the tube B in communication with the outside air to cause a simultaneous actuation of both the pneumatics controlled by the tubes T and B. This is substantially the position of the valve 115 as shown in Fig. 10, where it will be noted that both the tubes B and T are in communication with the passageways 121 and 119 by reason of the curved slot 1.20. It will be noted that the opening 125 has not yet reached the passage to the tube C, which controls the action of the pressure'regulating pneumatic devn-e 40, as in the other modificat ons. Thus a fur her movement-of the finger piece 20 in the direction of the arrow wlll place the tube C in communication with the atmosphere by reason of the passage 123. lnthis position both the tubes T and B are still in rommunication with the air by reason of the position of the passages from thesetubes and the slot 120, and both the mechanism for controlling the hammer rails and the mechanism for regulating the pneumatic pressure in the piano are then operating simultaneously to give a very delicate and soft tone to the music.

In this modification it will be noted that when moving the valve to obtain asott expression, the bass notes are first softened by action of the bass pneumatic, the treble notes are next softened by the passage 120 opening communication to the tube T to actuate the treble pneumatic, and then the pressure regulating device further softens the treble and bass notes by reason of the action through the tube C. Upon a reversal of the movement of the lever 20 to obtain a louder tone, it will be seen that the pressure regulating mechanism is first thrown out of action, then the treble note pneumatic is cut oil from communication with the air to increase the tone of the treble notes upon a further motion of the lever 20 in the direction opposite to that shown by the ar-h row in Fig. 10, the bass pneumatic through the tube 13 1s cut ofi from communicatlon and the bass notes are then operated with a be noted that, as indicated, the finger piece 20 may be positioned over a central portion of the indicater diagram 22 designated as 'medium and in. this position, neither the mechanism for mechanically controlling the position'ot the loud pedal or bass and treble hammer rails, nor the pressure regulating expressioncontrolling device, are in operation. In this position of the finger piece, the piano may be operated in the ordinary way with the expression controlling devices in neutral or inoperative position, and the expression may then be controlled by the usual hand buttons as is well known in the art. From this description of the various modifications of operating valves and positions of the tubes'L, T, B and C it will be apparent that the control of the various expression devices constituting the subject matter of my invention may be effected in Various manners, as indicated, so that either the bass notes may be softened before the treble notes are softenedyor the action may hammer rest rail and thereby actuating the treble, bass and loud pedal lnstrumentalitles,

respectively, player pneumatics, )neumatically-actuated valvular means operatively interposed in the mainsuction conduit leading to the player pneumatics and operative to maintain a uniform operative tension therein regardless of a higher tension created in the main source of pneumatic tension, and manually actuated valvular means having ports and passages adapted to be successively brought into communication with each of said sets of pneumatics, and operable to selectively control the operation of said )neumaticall -actuated re ulatin valve as also, independently, control the tension in each of said first mentioned pneumatics for operatively adjusting the effective position of each of said expression instrumentalities, at the will of the operator. i

2. In a player piano, the combination with 7 player pneumatics for operating the string hammers in accordance with perforations in a music roll, a divided hammer rest rail, other pneumatics operable to vary the position of each section of said hammer rail to vary the expression, a source of pneumatic tension 7 including a main suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to'said player pneumatics, and means to independently vary the expression, compris ing a divided valve chamber having a communicating opening, interposed in said Conduit, pneumatically-actuated valvular means governing said valved opening and thereby controlling the pneumatic tension delivered from said source of tension to said player pneumatics to operatethe string hammers, and a manually actuated valvular device having a plurality of ports and passages adapts l to be selectively brought into communication with the atmosphere and operable for throwing into and out of operation said pneumatically actuated valvular means governing the tension operatingthe player pneumatics and also operable, at the will of the operator, to actuate the pneumatics to vary theeffective position of said sectional hammer rail.

3. In player piano, the combination of player pneumatics, adapted to operate the string hammers in accordance with perforatlons in a music roll, a main source of pneumatic tension, a main suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to said pneumatics, and a pneumaticallyactuated regulating valve interposed in said suction conduit and operable to control the pneumatic tension deliverable to said player pneumatics, a sectional hammer rail and string dampers, a plurality of pneumatics operable to vary the position of said last mentioned instrumentalities required for the treble and bass notes and loud pedal effects,

respectively, and a manually operable valvu-' lar device having a series of ports and passages adapted, at the will of the operator, to be brought into selective communication with said regulating valve controlling the tension operating the player pneumatics and with each of said pneumatics operable to adjust the effective position of said expression instrumentalities. j

4. In a player piano the combination with a divided hammer rest rail and string dampers, pneumatics, operable for adjusting the effective position of said instrumentalities required for the treble, bass and loud pedal notes, player pneumatics for operating the string hammers by and in accordance with melody perforations in a movable music roll, a main source of pneumatic tension, a main suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to said player pneumatics, a divided valve chamber having a valved opening, interposed in said main suction conduit, pneumaticallyactuated valvular means governing said valved opening; and a manually-operable valvular device having ports and passages adapted to selectively govern said first mentioned pneumatics, and an additional port and passage adapted to be brought, at the will of the operator, into position to also actuate said pneumatically operated valvular device in the main suction conduit and thereby independently vary the expression given to the melody notes by varying the pneumatic tention delivered to andoperating said player pneumatics. I

5. In a player piano, the combination with player pneumatics for operating the string hammers of the piano in accordance with perforations in a music roll, a main source of pneumatic tension including a suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to each of said pneumatics, a divided valve chamber interposed in said conduit and having a connecting passage way between its chambers, pneumaticallyactuated valvular means controlling said passage way and operative to control the pneumatic tension delivered through the same from said source of tension to said player pneumatics, and a manually actuated valvular device for establishing communication-with the atmosphere and thereby throwing into and out of operation said pneumati Cally-actuated valvular controlling means.

6. In a player piano, the combination with player pneumatics, for operating the string hammers in accordance with perforations ina music roll, a main source of pneumatic tension including a suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected toeach of said pneumatics, a divided valve cham-- ber interposed in said conduit and having a communicating passage way between its chambers, a valve governing saidpassage way, a pneumatically-operated device actuating said last'mentioned valve, said combined means being operable to maintain sub stantially constant the pneumatic tension passing deliverable to and actually effective for operating said player pneumatics regardless of any excess oftension produced in said source 01": tension, and pneumatic means to move said pneumatically actuated' valve into and out of normal position, com-'- prising a manually operable valvular device for establishing communication with the atv mosphere and with said last mentioned pneumatic valve-actuating means. 1 o

7 In a player piano, the combinationof player pneumatics, including connecting devices, adapted to operate the string hammers in accordance with the melody perforations in a music roll; a main source oi": pneumatic tension, including a main suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to each of said pneumatics, a pneumaticallyactuated valvular device interposed in said suction conduit, and manually operable valvular means adapted to establish communication with the atmosphere, at the will of the operator,'to effect the operation of said pneumatically operable valvular device to control the pneumatic tension deliverable to said player pneumatics and the expression of the melody notes produced by the player pneumatics notwithstanding any excess of pneumatic tension produced in said main source of pneumatic tension.

8. In a player piano, in combination, player pneumatics, a main source of pneumatic tension and a main "suction conduit leading therefrom and operatively connected to said pneumatics, a divided valve chamberinterposed in said conduit, a pneumatically operated valve and a normally open passage way governed thereby between 4 said chambers, tubular means connecting} means to throw into and out of operation said last mentioned pneumatic means, said combined mechanisms being operable to controland maintain substantially uniform and constant the pneumatic tension actually effective for the operation of all of said player pneumatics.

9. In a player piano, the combination or" player pneumatics, a divided valve chamber interposed in the main suction tube of the instrument which extends between the main'source of pneumatic tension and said pneumatics, a pneumatically operated valve and a connecting passage way governed thereby between said chambers, a bypass-age I connecting said chambers above and below said valved passage, regulating valvular means controlling the admission of atmospheric air through said by-passage, and pneumatic means toeffectthe actuation of said regulating valvular means, and operable to control and maintain substantially uniform and constant the pneumatic pressure delivered to and actually effective for the operation of each of said player pneumatics,

10. A player piano having in combination pneumatically operated playing devices, a source of pneumatic tension from which is derived the pneumatic tension for operating said devices, and a main suction conduit between said elements, a divided valve chamber interposed in said conduit, a pneumatically operated valve, an opening governed thereby between said chambers, a shunt pas sage connecting said valve chambers above and below the valved opening therein, and a pneumatically operated regulating valve, including adjustable means for causing yielding resistance to its action, operable to open and close communication of said passage with the atmosphere and thereby reduce an excess of pneumatic tension passing through said valved opening and maintain a uniformity of pneumatic tension in said player pneumatic 11. In a player piano, in combination, player pneumatics, a main source of pneumatic tension and a main suction conduit between the same and said pneumatics, and means to control the tension delivered throughsaid conduit, said means comprising a divided valve chamber interposed in said conduit, an opening between them, a valve governing the opening between said chambers, a shunt passage connecting said chambers above and below said valved opening therein, a regulating valve in said shunt passage, normally closing the same and operable to open communication with the atmosa tension regulating mechanism adapted to actuate said valve to close theopening between saidchambers and open communication between the lower chamber thereof and the atmosphere, and thereby control the pneumatic tension passing through said divided valve chamber, said mechanism comprising a pneumatic in operative communication with said shunt passage and with the atmosphere, a valve pivotally mounted on a movable wal of said pneumatic and independently movable with respect thereto, and means toeffect an independent movement of said last mentioned valve; v

13. In a player piano, in combination, mechanism for controlling the pneumatic tension required to effectively operate the player pneumatics, comprising a divided valve chamber interposed in the main suction tube of the instrument, a pneumatically operated valve, and a normally open, communication between said valve chambers, a shunt conduit connecting said chambers, and a regulating mechanism adapted to control the pneumatic tension passing to the player pneumatics through said divided valve chamber, said mechanism comprising a pneumatically actuated valve governing said shunt passage, said'valve being mounted on the inner side of a movable wall of its operating pneumatic, and independently movable with respect thereto, and an auxiliary compensating pneumatic supported within said last mentioned pneumatic and also connected. with the suction tube under said valve, whereby said valve is operable by both said main and auxiliary pneumatics.

In. witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of October, 1917.

OTIS M. KENNEDY; 

